Welcome to the heart of Hope County, Montana, and the first major region you'll liberate from the clutches of Joseph Seed's cult: Holland Valley. This sprawling agricultural land, overseen by the charismatic and ruthless John Seed, is where your true fight for freedom begins. In this comprehensive guide to Act I, we'll navigate you through every main mission, side quest, and crucial encounter within Holland Valley, ensuring you not only survive but thrive against the Project at Eden's Gate.
Here, you'll learn the ropes of recruiting Fangs for Hire and Guns for Hire, dismantling cult outposts, and strategically weakening John Seed's hold on the region. We'll highlight key weapon upgrades, essential perks to unlock, and the locations of valuable collectibles that will aid your resistance. Prepare to engage in intense firefights, daring rescues, and the systematic dismantling of the cult's infrastructure as you build your reputation and rally the local population to your cause.
By the end of this act, you'll have a firm grasp of Far Cry 5's core mechanics and a sificant impact on the cult's presence in Holland Valley, paving the way for your continued efforts across Hope County. Let's dive in and reclaim this beautiful, but besieged, land!
Welcome to Fall's End
Your journey into Holland Valley truly begins after the events of the Prologue. You'll find yourself in Fall's End, a small town that serves as your initial hub and resistance stronghold. Your first priority here is to meet with Pastor Jerome Jeffries and Mary May Fairgrave, who will introduce you to the local resistance efforts and provide your first main missions.
Key Objectives:
- Meet Pastor Jerome: He's usually found near the church or the Spread Eagle bar. He'll give you the mission "A Righteous Man."
- Meet Mary May Fairgrave: She runs the Spread Eagle bar. She'll offer the mission "The Widowmaker."
- Secure Fall's End: While not a formal mission, clearing any immediate cult presence around Fall's End is a good idea to establish a safe zone.
Tips for Fall's End:
- Stock Up: The general store in Fall's End is your first reliable source for ammo, medkits, and basic weapon upgrades. Prioritize upgrading your primary weapon's magazine capacity.
- Recruit Guns for Hire: Look for NPCs with a blue "Guns for Hire" icon above their heads. They offer valuable assistance in combat. Nick Rye, a pilot, and Boomer, a dog, are two early and highly effective companions you can unlock in Holland Valley.
- Explore Safely: The immediate area around Fall's End is relatively safe, but venturing too far without a plan can lead to early, challenging encounters with cult patrols.
A Righteous Man (Main Mission)
This mission, given by Pastor Jerome, involves rescuing him and other captives from a nearby cult compound. It's an excellent introduction to stealth and combat mechanics.
Walkthrough:
- Approach the Compound: Use the surrounding terrain for cover. Scout the area with your binoculars to tag enemies and identify patrol routes.
- Stealth or Assault:
- Stealth Approach: Prioritize taking out snipers first. Use silenced weapons for headshots. Look for environmental hazards like explosive barrels to create distractions or take out groups.
- Assault Approach: If going loud, use cover effectively. Focus fire on Heavies (cultists with body armor) and avoid being flanked.
- Rescue the Captives: Once the area is clear, approach the cages and interact with them to free the prisoners.
- Escort Pastor Jerome: He will follow you. Ensure his safety as you fight your way out or return to Fall's End.
Reward: Resistance Points, Cash, Pastor Jerome as a Gun for Hire.
The Widowmaker (Main Mission)
Mary May tasks you with retrieving her father's prized truck, "The Widowmaker," from a cult stronghold. This mission often involves vehicle combat.
Walkthrough:
- Infiltrate the Cult Stronghold: Similar to "A Righteous Man," you can choose stealth or direct assault. The stronghold will likely have more enemies and potentially a mounted turret.
- Locate The Widowmaker: It's usually in a garage or large shed within the compound.
- Clear the Area: Before driving off, ensure the immediate vicinity is clear of enemies to avoid unnecessary damage to the truck.
- Drive The Widowmaker Back: You'll likely be pursued by cult vehicles. Use The Widowmaker's mounted machine gun (if available) or switch to your passenger seat (if playing co-op) to fend them off. Drive defensively, using the environment to your advantage.
Reward: Resistance Points, Cash, The Widowmaker added to your garage.